This music studio in Utrecht features an exterior façade clad in <a href="http://inhabitat.com/recycled-materials" target="_blank">recycled plastic planks</a> and a design that was carefully conceived with respect for its surrounding neighborhood. Designed by <a href="http://www.architectenvanmourik.nl/projecten/Publieksgebouwen/centrum%20muziek%20xxi/$ENG$" target="_blank">Architecten van Mourik</a>, a Dutch firm, the Centrum Muziek XXI, is a small-scale music studio perfect for small music ensembles. Rather than build up and block the neighbor's sun, the studio was built with a 45 degree corner cut off so the sun would still reach into their gardens. The center also features windows that vary in thickness depending on how much sun protection is needed for each space.

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Centrum Muziek

Centrum Muziek is located in Loevenhoutsedijk, Utrecht between a residential area and a noisy water purification plant.

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Centrum Muziek

As part of the ‘Hoogstaat aan de Vecht’ urban renewal plan, the site was cleared for development -- but it was deemed that the purification plant was too loud to zone the area for housing.

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Centrum Muziek

The music and cultural center serves as a good compromise for development and acts as a buffer to the neighbors and an active cultural space.

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Centrum Muziek

The music center also respects its neighbors by not eliminating the adjacent homes' solar access.

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Centrum Muziek

A large corner of the building was cut off at a 45 degree angle to allow sun to reach the home's gardens.

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Centrum Muziek

Inside, the space includes a large music hall, two smaller studio spaces, office space, storage, an entrance, and a foyer.

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Centrum Muziek

The three-story building maximizes volume while still respecting the neighbors' access to solar gain.

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Centrum Muziek

The studio and music spaces are separated by the public and common use areas, which improve acoustics and increase the building's circulation.

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Centrum Muziek

The exterior of the building is clad in green tinted recycled plastic planks.

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Centrum Muziek

Special windows cover the open and public spaces. They are tinted green to provide sun protection.

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Centrum Muziek

The center was completed in 2009 and serves as a striking building in a residential area.

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Centrum Muziek

This music studio in Utrecht features an exterior façade clad in recycled plastic planks and a design that was carefully conceived with respect for its surrounding neighborhood. Designed by Architecten van Mourik, a Dutch firm, the Centrum Muziek XXI, is a small-scale music studio perfect for small music ensembles. Rather than build up and block the neighbor's sun, the studio was built with a 45 degree corner cut off so the sun would still reach into their gardens. The center also features windows that vary in thickness depending on how much sun protection is needed for each space.